AV over IP Essentials: The Complete Setup & Deployment Guide

AV over IP Essentials: The Complete Setup & Deployment Guide
Introductory Section
Professional audiovisual systems have evolved dramatically with the advent of AV over IP technology. STAISON's comprehensive suite of AV over IP solutions—including SDVoE (Software-Defined Video over Ethernet), JPEG 2000, and H.265 encoding—allows organizations to transmit high-quality video and control signals across standard IP networks, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated video cabling and matrix hardware.
Whether you're designing a command center, a broadcast facility, a corporate headquarters, or an educational institution, AV over IP offers flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency that traditional HDMI and HDBaseT solutions cannot match.
Section 1: Understanding AV over IP Technology
What is AV over IP?
AV over IP technology encodes video, audio, and control signals into IP packets that travel across standard Ethernet networks (Cat6/Cat6A). This approach offers several distinct advantages:
Network Convergence: Use your existing IT infrastructure to distribute AV signals
Unlimited Scaling: Expand from a single room to hundreds of endpoints without matrix hardware
True Flexibility: Any source connects to any display through simple software configuration
Cost Savings: Reduced hardware footprint and simplified installation
Future-Proof: Easy to upgrade software without replacing hardware
STAISON AV over IP Options:
SDVoE (Software-Defined Video over Ethernet)
4K60 and 8K resolution support
Ultra-low latency (sub-1ms)
Copper and fiber connectivity
Best for: Command centers, broadcast studios, high-bandwidth applications
Products: ST-NEB100AT, ST-NEB100ATF, ST-NEB100ATFS
JPEG 2000 (1G)
4K60 HDR capability
Efficient compression
KVM and RS-232 control integration
eARC/ARC audio support
Best for: Presentation switching, conference systems
Products: ST-NEA810, ST-NEA900, ST-NEA900S, ST-NEA902
H.264/H.265 (1G)
Professional video compression
4K60 and 1080P60 options
Window roaming (display follows user)
KVM, RS-232, and networking features
Best for: Multi-room systems, flexible venue layouts
Products: ST-NE9500MP, ST-NE9300M, ST-NE8300M, ST-NE5300M
Section 2: Network Planning & Infrastructure
Bandwidth Requirements
Determine your network infrastructure needs before deployment:
SDVoE 4K60: 2-2.5 Gbps per stream
JPEG 2000 4K60 HDR: 1-1.5 Gbps per stream
H.265 4K60: 1-1.2 Gbps per stream
1080P60 All Formats: 400-600 Mbps per stream
Network Switch Specifications
Minimum: Managed Gigabit switches with VLAN support
Recommended: Multi-10G network infrastructure for 4K+ deployments
QoS Configuration: Enable priority queuing for AV traffic
Redundancy: Dual network paths for mission-critical installations
Fiber Connectivity: Use fiber backbone for long-distance runs and EMI isolation
Network Topology Best Practices
Separate your AV network from general data traffic using VLANs
Implement Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize AV streams
Use managed switches with IGMP snooping for multicast optimization
Plan for 10Gbps uplink bandwidth if deploying multiple simultaneous 4K streams
Consider fiber optic connections for runs exceeding 100m
Section 3: System Architecture & Design
Typical AV over IP Workflow

Source Device → Encoder → Network Switch → Decoder → Display
              (Video capture)           (transmission)   (video output)

Design Considerations
Encoder Selection: Choose based on source type (HDMI, USB-C, component)
Network Path: Consider multicast vs. unicast transmission
Decoder Placement: Position near displays to minimize latency
Control Integration: Link encoders/decoders to STAISON control systems for seamless automation
Failover Strategy: Implement backup paths for critical installations
Single-Room Example
Conference room with 4K display
Source: Laptop via USB-C
Encoder: ST-NEA900 (H.265 4K60 with KVM)
Decoder: Embedded in display or external receiver
Control: Touch panel (ST-NTW06P) for source selection and display control
Multi-Room Corporate Example
Headquarters with 12 conference rooms
Central equipment rack with ST-NCTL801 (Universal Controller)
Each room equipped with ST-NEA900 encoders and wall-plate decoders
Network backbone: 10G Ethernet with dual redundancy
Control: Mobile app + in-room touch panels
Section 4: Installation & Configuration
Pre-Installation Checklist
[ ] Network infrastructure audit and documentation
[ ] VLAN configuration on network switches
[ ] QoS policy implementation
[ ] Redundant network paths (if applicable)
[ ] Encoder and decoder firmware validation
[ ] Control system integration planning
[ ] Testing equipment and documentation
Step-by-Step Installation
Network Preparation
Configure VLAN for AV traffic
Enable multicast if using multicast distribution
Set QoS priorities for AV traffic classes
Test network paths with ping and bandwidth tests
Encoder Setup
Mount encoder in equipment location
Connect video source (HDMI, USB-C, etc.)
Connect network to managed switch
Assign static IP address
Test video signal with test pattern
Decoder Setup
Mount decoder near display location
Connect HDMI output to display
Connect network to managed switch
Assign static IP address
Verify video reception
Control System Integration
Add encoders/decoders to STAISON controller
Configure source switching logic
Test multi-room control
Program automation sequences
Testing & Validation
Test all source-to-display routes
Verify latency performance
Check audio synchronization
Validate failover functionality
Section 5: Advanced Features & Optimization
Window Roaming
Enable presenters to move between rooms while maintaining their video stream. The system automatically detects user location and routes the signal to the appropriate decoder.
KVM Integration
Control remote computers and cameras through the same AV over IP infrastructure. Ideal for operating broadcast cameras or production switching from a control room.
eARC/ARC Audio
Integrate audio feedback from displays back to encoders, enabling dynamic audio routing and speaker control.
Multi-Stream Capabilities
Simultaneous transmission of multiple video streams across your network, enabling picture-by-picture presentations or distributed conference setups.
Section 6: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue    Cause    Solution
Video dropouts    Insufficient bandwidth    Add network capacity, reduce stream resolution
Audio lag    Network delay    Check QoS settings, reduce network hops
No signal    IP address conflict    Verify static IP assignments, check VLAN settings
High latency    Poor network path    Use fiber for long distances, optimize switch settings
Decoder not found    Network isolation    Check VLAN configuration, verify multicast settings
Next Steps
Assess Your Needs: Evaluate your current facility and future growth plans
Consult with Experts: Contact sales@staison.com for system design consultation
Pilot Deployment: Start with one room to validate the technology
Full Rollout: Scale your successful pilot across your facility